Boat



YJuly 11, 1961 l.. ENsLEY ETAL 2,991,744

BOAT

Filed sept. 9, 1957 v26 l /6 l United States Patent rface 2,991,744 BOAT Irvin L. Ensley and Harry J. Lupher, Drain, Oreg., as-

signors to Drain Machinery & Supply Co., Dram, Oreg., a corporation of Oregon Filed Sept. 9, 1957, Ser. No. 682,896 '3 Claims. (Cl. 114-56) This invention relates generally to boats and more particularly to a work boat adapted to push oating articles such as logs around in a body of water. Boats of this description, for example, are used in the log ponds of a lumber mill for the purpose of positioning the logs about the pond preparatory to cutting the logs into lumber.

In many lumber operations, it is common to store logs in a pond prior to feeding the logs into a conveyer mechanism operable to transport the logs up into the sawmill proper. Ponds of this sort have been found to offer an extremely simple and practical system for handling logs. To manipulate the logs in the pond, boats are used which are directed against the log to push it in the direction desired.

In constructing a boat for such work, there are a nurnber of factors which must be considered if the boat is to perform satisfactorily. By way of example, logs frequently are dumped into a pond or, once deposited in a pond, drift about so that they oat in the pond at various random angles relative to each other. In moving or jockeying the logs, maneuvering space is often severely restricted. The logs, for instance, may rbe so jammed together that there is little if any room for a boat to turn about between the logs. For this reason, serious difculties have been encountered using boats of conventional construction.

Further, logs must frequently be pushed in directions which extend not only at right Iangles relative to their length but also at various oblique angles relative to their length. Conventional boat constructions have tended to slide or slip relative to the length of the log, particularly because of the wet surface conditions of the log, reducing the eiciency of the operation.

Another factor which enters into the boat construction is the relatively shallow water normally found in many log ponds. This has necessitated, for best results, a hull construction wherein the boa-t, during operation, draws as little water as possible. Partially by reason of the fact that boats of this description ride relatively high in the water, many boats have exhibited a tendency to ride up and over a log either by slipping over the log or by rolling the log over when moved against a log. Obviously, such a result is undesirable.

The rather shallow depths of many log ponds has made conventional propulsion systems incorporating propellers impractical due to the fouling or damage resulting to the propeller when the boat strikes the pond bottom. This latter defect has been particularly troublesome, resulting in lost man-hours and frequent periods of shutdown.

Generally, it is an object of this invention to provide a boat construction which takes care of the hereinabove described diiculties in a highly practical and satisfactory manner.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide, for a work boat of the above description, a hull construction wherein the sides of the hull define a substantially equilateral polygonal peripheral outline for the hull. Each of the sides provides an abutment means for pushing into and against a log thereby to maneuver the log. The polygonal shape enables the boat to push with equal effect against a log in any of a number of multiple directions.

A related object is to provide for a work boat, the sides of which dene a polygonal outline, a novel network of.

2,991,744 Patented July l1, 1961 flanges, forming a grid over the surface of the side and operable to inhibit, when engaging a log, lateral slipping of the boat relative to a log encountered thereby and movement of the boat up and over the log.

A further object is to provide such a boat which includes a series of lug portions or spikes projecting downwardly and outwardly from the lower edges of the sides of the boat, operable to engage lower portions of the log thereby to inhibit movement of the boat up and over a log and cradling the log against the boat so that the boat, when urged against a log, moves downwardly and directly against the log.

Another object is to provide such a boat having a jet propulsion system which includes a nozzle directing a jet discharge for propelling the boat and also steering `the boat. The nozzle is located below the bottom of the hull centrally of the sides of the hull and is rotatable about a perpendicular axis in a 360 arc thereby Iaccommodating movement of the boat in all directions. The nozzle is located centrally of the sides, rendering the boat substantially equally effective regardless of the direction in which the boat is traveling. The central location of the nozzle causes the boat to ride at substantially the same angle in the water in all directions of movement for the boat. Combined with the rotatable nozzle below the bottom of the boat is a steering shaft extending upwardly in the boat and having a steering wheel mounted at the upper end thereof. The steering shaft provides a means for rotating the nozzle about its axis of rotation. A platform is carried along the top of the hull extending around the boat hull, enabling an operator to walk around Ithe boat as he directs logs in the pond.

Still further, another object is to provide such a boat which is characterized by a novel bottom construction which contributes stability to the boat when the boat is used either to push or to tow logs in ya pond without contributing material to the draft of the boat.

These and other objects and advantages are attained by the present invention, various novel features of which will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a work boat according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view, partly broken away, of the work boat in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a section view of the work boat, showing the arrangement of the working parts within the interior of the boat.

Referring now in particular to the drawings for a detailed description of an embodiment of this invention, 10 indicates generally the hull of a work boat having a shallow bottom generally indicated at 11 and a number of vertical sides 12 extending upwardly with their lower edges joined to bottom 11 and with their upper edges joined with and supporting a patform 13.

The lboat illustrated has eight sides in all, each of the sides being substantially of the same size. The sides, in combination with each other, define an equilateral octagonal peripheral outline for the hull portion. The sides are braced as by frame members 14 and provide an abutment means for pushing against logs in a pond whereby the logs may be moved in the direction desi-red. Preferably, an even number of sides are employed as this enables the boat to push in diametrically opposite directions without revolving the boat proper but only by changing the direction of the propulsion means for the boat. In practice, an eight-sided hull, that is a hull having an octagonal outline, has Ibeen found most advantageous as each side of an eight-sided boat is large enough to provide good contact with a log and enough sides are present to impart a high degree of maneuverability to the boat. The boat rides, under ordinary conditions, approximately at the level indicated by the line 1S in FIG. 1, with lower portions of the sides under water. An 'eight-sided hull contributes a streamlined quality to the boat which increases its usefulness.

Referring again to FIG. l, each of the sides carries a number of flanges aixed to the side and-projecting outwardly therefrom. The flanges form a grid over the surface of each side. Thus, extending horizontally along each side are three horizontal ange portions 16, 17, and

1-8, respectively. Intersecting these cllanges at right angles are a number of vertical flanges 19, 20, 21, and 22, respectively. The flanges serve the double function of rigidizing the side of the hull against bending and deflection when encountering a log and at the same time inhibiting shifting of the boat vboth laterally and up and down relative to a log. This is particularly important when a log is being pushed at an oblique angle rather than in a direction normal to its length. If a flat surface is used, the -boat tends to slide along a log, particularly if the log contains appreciable knots and irregularities so that the contact area between the boat and the log is reduced.

`Carried -by the hull at spaced intervals about the periphery of the hull with their forward edges projecting downwardly and outwardly -from the lower edges of the lsides lof the hull area number of spikes or lug portions 26. The forward edges of the lugs project forwardly of the forward edges of the flange Vportions carried by a side so that the forward edges of the lugs in combination with the flanges form a concavity adapted to seat about a log when-the boat is pushed against a log. By such a construction, instead of riding up over a log when pushed against the log, the boat tends to cradle itself against the log, the lugs engaging lower portions of the log and anchoring the boat in the water.

Sloping downwardly and inwardly from the sides of -the hull portion are planar walls, such as walls 27, 28, 29, and 30, which join with a base wall at the base of the hull to form a shallow bottom for the hull. The substantially straight edges formed by the junction of the various wall portions making up the bottom'of the boat contribute directional control and stability to the boat. This is important, for-instance, when the boat is moving from one location to another while moving about apond.

A jet propulsion mechanism included with the boat lprovides a means both for propelling and for steering the boat. More specifically, rotatably mounted in a sleeve 35 carried centrally of the sides of the boat and below the bottom of the hull is a nozzle member 31. The nozzle member is mounted for rotation about la perpendicular axis in a 360 arc. The nozzle member has a constricted outlet portion 32 for ejecting water as a jet stream. The inner end of nozzle member 31 communicates with a tube section 33 connecting the nozzle member'to the interior of a housing 34. A conventional impeller element 36 is rotatably mounted within housing 34.

A motor 37 secured to the interior of the hull, which may be a conventional marine engine of a commercial variety, is connected by a shaft 38 and universal joints 39 and 41 to an input shaft 42 of a gear box 43. Input shaft 42 is connected by gearing in the gear box to output shaft 44 driving an impeller element 36. The gear box is sealed by a suitable gasket for the purpose of retaining lubricant within the gear box. Impeller element 36 and housing 34 constitute a pump mechanism secured to the interior of the hull for pumping water rthrough nozzle member 31.

Fixed to the bottom of the hull over an opening S1 formed in base wall 25 is a screen 52. `Screen 52 is indicated in FlG. 2 by dotted outline. Opening 51 communicates with the interior of-housing A34 so that-on rotation of impeller element 36, water isdrawn upwardly through the opening into housing 34, thence outwardly through tube section 33 from whence it is ejected through nozzle member 31. The impeller is driven by motor 37 by means of the shafts 38, 42, and 44 just described. The screen over port 51 Ais included for the purpose of sifting out foreign `articles which might otherwise harm the impeller element.

Secured to the rotatable nozzle member is a shaft 56 with its upper end extending outwardly from tube section 33 through a sleeve 5S affixed to the tube section. A suitable lluid-tig'h-t seal is Aprovided in the tube section to prevent water from leaking from around shaft 56. Shaft 56 provides a means for rotating nozzle member 31 and thus controlling the direction of movement of the work boat.

Mounted centrally on platform 13 is a frame structure 60 comprised of uprigh-ts `61 fixed at their base ends to platform 13 and carrying vat their upper ends Aa lfixed circular hand rail 62. Frame structure 60 is located centrally on platform 13 to enable an operator to walk completely around the boat on that portion of the platform which extends around the hull adjacent sides v12. Extending upwardly lthrough the center of hand rail 62 and supported by radial kspoke -mernbers 63 is a rotatably mounted, hollow steering shaft 64. A wheel 66 is secured to the top of the steering shaft for turning the shaft. The lower end ofsteering shaft 64 isconnected by` suitable power Itransmitting means to shaft 56 controlling nozzle member 31. ln the embodiment illustrated, chains 67 and 68, reeved about suitable sprockets affixed to shafts 64 and 56, turn an intermediate shaft 69 mounted in the hull as by socket member 71 and brackets 72, 73.

A throttle shaft 74 inserted through and rotatably mounted within the hollow center of steering shaft 66 -provides a means for controlling motor 37. Throttle shaft 74 has affixed to its upper end 'a small throttle wheel 76. The lower end of Vthrottle shaft 74 is connected by `a line 77, reeved about pulley 78 secured to 317e shaft, to the conventional throttle control for engine The .hull of it-hework boat Iis divided into a number of compartments, on either side of the space occupied by motor 37, by walls such as walls 79 and `80. The compartments serve -as ballast tanks and may be filled with water when it is desired properly to balance the work boat in the water.

The use of a water jet propulsion system for propelling and steering the bo-atof this invention is particularly advantageous since by using such a system there is avery small amount of hull projection-below the bottom ofthe boat. Further, the need for rapidly moving exposed parts such as a propeller is eliminated. Of particular importance is the fact that the lboat may also be used as a tire boat when desired.

Referring to FIG. 3, mounted within housing 34 adjacent tube section 33 lis a conventional valve indicated at 81. This valve controls the flow of fluid Ifrom impeller element 36. Water may be directed by the valve either through tube section 33 and out the nozzle member, or, if the valve is turned, upwardly through conduit 82 to a tire hose 83. Conduit section 82 is provided with a couple 84 atv-its upper end enabling hose 83 to be attached to conduit 82. A valve 86 may also be included at the upperend of conduit82 to close olf the upperend when desired. A reel 87 carried by frame `60 on the platform of theboat carries the yfire hose when it is not in use. A handle 88 controlling the operation-of valve 81 is connected by rod 89 to the valve and affords an opportunity for the operator to control the valve while standing on platformV 13.

From the above, it will be apparent that the boatfof this invention has a number of novel tfeatures which oo- `operate to produce a-boat'ofv-maximum utility. 'By using a nozzle member which is mounted centrally of the sides of the boat, the boat tends to ride at substantially the same angle in the water regardless of the direction in which the boat is traveling. This is particularly important in a boat of the type described if the sides of the boat are not to ride up and over sides of a slippery log. Cooperating with the position of a nozzle is the grid network of anges carried by each of the sides of the boat which grip into and engage the sides of a log being handled. The log portions or spikes projecting outwardly from the hull act to cradle the log against the sides of the boat to further assist handling of the logs. 'Ihe platform extending around the vhull of the boat enables an operator to walk about the steering wheel during operation of the boat. The boat may -be steered with equal facility regardless of the direction in which it is traveling.

lIt should be noted that While this invention has been described in connection with one particular embodiment, it is not intended to be restricted to this particular embodiment as it is desired to cover all modifications and arrangements of the invention which would be apparent to one skilled in the art and `that come within the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters P-atent:

l. A powered work boat for jockeying oating logs comprising a hull portion, said hull portion having sides spaced about said hull portion to define a substanti-ally equilateral oct-agonal peripheral outline therefor, each of said sides carrying ange portions extending horizontally and vertically over the surface of the side, said flange portions providing `an abutment means lfor pushing against articles encountered by the side, said ange portions inhibiting shifting of `the hull portion relative to a log encountered thereby, lug portions carried by said hull portion spaced from each other and with their forward edges projecting downwardly and outwardly from the lower edges of said sides, a shallow bottom Kfor' said hull portion with planar walls sloping downwardly and inwardly from each of said sides, and means revolvable about a perpendicular axis for propelling the Work boat radially in any direction about said axis.

2. A powered work boat for jockeying articles oating in water comprising a hull, abutment means around the perimeter of the hull in the vicinity of the water line for the Iboat defining a multi-sided outline for the boat of equilateral, polygonal shape, means near the base of said abutment means projecting outwardly from the abutment means for crowding an object against the abutment means on forward progress of the boat against such article, and means for propelling the boat across the water in lany direction.

3. A powered work boat for jockeying floating logs comprising a hull portion having sides dening a substantially equilateral polygonal outline for the boat and with the sides converging at corners 'for said polygonal outline, vertical flange means joined -to the outside of the hull portion at eachof said corners in the vicinity of the water line for the boat, lug means carried by said hull portion at each of said corners with said lug means projecting outwardly from said ange means adjacent the base of the ange means, and means for propelling the boat Iacross the water in any direction.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,338,355 Phillips Jan. 4, 1944 2,691,953 Hanley Oct. 19, 1954 2,791,981 Lane May 14, 1957 2,826,163 King Mar. 11, 1958 2,844,120 Nelson July 22, 1958 2,924,834 Castady Feb. 16, 1960 

